Adventures about pet therapy, dog rescue and urban life in the 'Burbs
A reminder to be careful when you go out looking for leaves that are changing colors. Wildlife is preparing for winter and may suddenly pop up where and when you least expect them. While we did some leaf peeping this weekend, I don’t think there was a single creature in the morass of metal we encountered in the high country. This was but a tiny slice of the thousands we saw.
May you enjoy an accident free autumn day without all the maddening crowds.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Welcome to the last Friday of September. It’s been yet another week of record-breaking temps and they are expected to continue for at least the next ten days. Oh joy. And for the record, it was 93ºF (33ºC) yesterday. If you think those temps are above average, you’d be right-in fact approximately 18ºF above average. We’re now up to 63 days of above 90ºF temps. Elsa here, along with the House Pony who is headed for his third visit at Lutheran later this morning. Mom thought getting him cleaned up was pretty much like steer wrestling and vowed to never do it at home again nor would she groom both of us on the same day. I tried to tell her I was good without the trim but would she listen? No. So I say, you get what you reap. Sore back, tough noogies. She mopped up puddles and hair for a good hour. It was pretty awful. Anywho, let’s get this party started.
Wilson: Hello mates. As always we’re joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others posted. This week we’re showing off photos from our recent trip to Southern Colorado to visit Mum’s Dad and her sister who also came for a visit. While it’s been hotter than bloody blue blazes, there was one day of pleasant temps with a nice shower at Grandpa’s. Things were noticeably green and we even saw a spot of snow on one of the peaks on the Wet Mountains to the southwest.
Elsa: Boy that snow sure looks inviting though I imagine in January or February, we’ll be singing a much different tune.
Wilson: No doubt. But that was nothing. Here we were headed back from our early morning walk when all of a sudden, we ran into these guys on the hill. Mom said she’s never seen deer in the nearly 40 years of visiting. Antelope yes, but never deer. I wasn’t quite sure just what to make of those creatures with those impressive antlers.
Elsa: They sure didn’t waste a lot of time waiting around for introductions. They boogied up that hill and were gone in a flash. I’m still surprised Mom managed to capture a few shots on her cell even if they aren’t great images. It was chilly that morning (43ºF/6ºC) and Mom’s fingers were kind of cold but she managed to whip out her cell phone lickety split. I, for one, was most impressed. I noticed you sure were gawping at them.
Wilson: Like Mum, I’d never seen anything like that. Usually we just chew the fat with the horse across the street from Grandpa’s house. They come a-running whenever we drop by. This time though, I didn’t bark at them. Mum seemed chuffed about that.
Elsa: Of course she was pleased. Nobody wants to be woken up at oh-dark-thirty in the morning by a bunch of hooved ninnies. You forget how much that distinctive bark of yours carries. That sound resembles two pots being clanged together and known as ‘pot-casse.’ It’s often what some people dislike about sheepdogs.
Wilson: I. beg. your. pardon. We need to have a large voice when protecting sheep or kids.
Elsa: I can guarantee that people don’t want to hear your version of security protection early in the morning. Beside your voice, what else you got to share, dude?
Wilson: On the day it rained at Grandpa’s house, the sniffs were something else. I was in olfactory nirvana, I tell you. It was Mum’s keen eyes that kept me from checking this rattlesnake skin more closely. She closely checked it out but wouldn’t let me near it. She can be such a killjoy at times.
Elsa: {shudder} I’m with Mom; no reason to get close to those things. You know they’re poisonous, right?
Wilson: {gulp} Poisonous, you say? Umm, good thing we continued down the road. Besides, I had to check on something. And this time I got lucky.
Elsa: I know you said you just wanted to ‘decorate’ our front garden since it’s Halloween season but eww, ick. Too sunbleached for my taste buds. Besides, I doubt you know how to decorate. For Halloween or any other holiday.
Wilson: Oh little one…you cut me to the quick.
Elsa: Oh please…you grabbed that section of the spine because you thought you could get away with it. I’m not stupid, you know. Mom is on to your chicanery and you blew us both away when you dropped it when she gave the command. We figured you’d try to hang on until she pried it from the jaws of death. She’s still blown away that you dropped it immediately. Why I’ll never know, but you sure impressed her. Usually she whines about how stubborn you are.
Wilson: How many times do I have to say it…I am not stubborn, I’m a sheepdog.
Elsa: Whatever lets you sleep, House Pony but the rest of us know.
Wilson: {miffed} I daresay, you’ve gone and hurt my feelings. Guess I’ll just wander on the prairie and contemplate the complexities of life on the open range.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} Ha…if only you’d go wandering. {changing topics} So the neighborhood is beginning to look a bit tacky, between all the political yard signs competing with loads of Halloween decorations popping up. I heard you growled at certain elements at this house.
Wilson: That’s not true. I just had this weird feeling I was being watched.
Elsa: Once again you have ever so deftly demonstrated you are an oaf and a complete moron.
Wilson: Umm…thank you? Anyway, we’re going to feature one Halloween scene each week just to show everyone how gah-gah folks from our neighborhood are when it comes to decorating for Halloween.
Elsa: Judging from the early signs, we should have plenty from which to choose. Time to wrap us this week’s post, bucko.
Wilson: Right, before closing, we want to let everyone know we’re thinking of all who has been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Stay safe.
Elsa: It’s heartbreaking. Here in the West we’re ever so parched while the East is getting hammered. Mother Nature is super cranky.
Wilson: Ay, that she is. We hope everyone has a nice weekend and takes time to search for the beauty nature provides us every day, whenever we look for it. We are hoping to do some leaf peeping in the high country to escape the heat. How about your plans?
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Today’s smile is soooo Wilson. Now I understand that it’s the motion detector in him that causes him to end up following me even if I’m just grabbing a glass of water. Wishing you loads of quiet times this week. Happy Monday!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Hiya peeps, it’s me, Elsa…here to welcome you to the last Friday of the summer, 2024. Woof, woof…hallelujah! As always, we’re joining our friends Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what everyone else has posted. Let’s bury this season and show some of the beauty of Nature this week from around the neighborhood.
You can’t imagine how excited we are to finally have a week of pleasant temps and pretty blooms. None of that veggie junk this week! Now let’s get started. Take it away Wilson!
Psst…yo buddy, you’re up.
Wilson: Huh, wha…yawning, oh good morning. Sorry I was just resting my eyelids until my introduction. Alright then, let’s get cracking, shall we?
Elsa: It’s about time. I was beginning to think I’d have to get this party started.
Wilson: Sorry, about be a smidge late-it’s still dark when Mum gets up and I really was just resting my eyes.
Elsa: Yeah right. So that’s an interesting flower. What is that?
Wilson: It’s a Zinnia that Mum planted from seed in a pot by the front door. She wasn’t sure if they’d germinate since the package of seeds was a few years old but like all the seeds she plants, she stores them in the refrigerator. Apparently that keeps them viable, even if not all of them germinate.
Elsa: Ahh, I see, using up space in the fridge that otherwise could be used to store tasty fresh toppers for us, eh? Hmm, I’m not sure I totally approve, I mean, we could have more space for tasty morsels for us. What do you think?
Wilson: Come on, mate…you’re always saying Mum’s needs to have a hobby, and it’s only a small glass container that she keeps in a jar by the door…
Elsa: STOP! No singing tunes from your fellow country-compadres.
Wilson: Ahem, let me assure you, I am as American as you are, born and breed in Missouri but fine, yes, I do like the chaps from Liverpool. So do a lot of other Americans, I might remind you.
Elsa: Fine. Sheesh, so touchy first thing in the morning. Looks like somebody got up from the wrong side of the cuddle bed.
Wilson: Not at all, I just wanted to point out the facts here. Not everyone is a conspiracist or fact denialist, okay?
Elsa: Boy…man…what a stickler, dude.
Wilson: Well it seems like everyone on the news is blathering on about some absurd thing. I mean, I even heard that some people are saying pets are supposedly being eating by people and we know that’s just crazy.
Elsa: Yeah, I heard that too. People…what can you do with them?
Wilson: We just have to set the record straight. Over and over. And people think I’m stubborn!
Elsa: Well I hate to break it to you, but you kinda are, but let’s debate that some other time. What else have you got?
Wilson: Well here’s another Zinnia from that pot. That bright orange color is screaming autumn all over it, I say.
Elsa: WHAT, I CAN’T HEAR YOU, THAT FLOWER IS TOO LOUD!!
Wilson: I say, young lady, I do believe you’re trying to spin me up, aren’t you.
Elsa: Hee, hee. Just pulling your leg, House Pony. But you got to admit, that’s one brightly colored flower.
Wilson: It sure is. Here’s another one. It’s another volunteer and one that delights Mum whenever or wherever it shows up. She planted a pink Snapdragon years ago and they are such vigorous reseeders so she enjoys it when it pops up, especially when the color is so different from the original. She’s never seen this color combination at the nursery. Just goes to show how important pollinators are in nature.
Elsa: Whoa…looks like a floral rainbow going on there. That’s so cool.
Wilson: It sure is. And here’s another pretty you might say is screaming autumn-the simply marigold. Mum always plants some seeds next to her tomatoes to keep the crawly things away. Too bad they don’t seem to work on the squirrels. They’ve been noshing on her big tomatoes though they don’t seem to bother the potted cherry tomatoes. We still have a jillion of those buggers.
Elsa: I hope you don’t have pics of veggies. I just want to see flowers, okay buck-o.
Wilson: Right, I shan’t bore you with any veggies this week. What do you think of this photo?
Elsa: Now we’re talking. I think that’s an aster. And look, a bee is working it’s magic in the center of it. Asters are synonymous with autumn.
Wilson: Mum and I could hear them as we walked past this lovely. I wanted to help her stage the photo but she shooed me away so I wouldn’t be tempted to snap at them as they flew about.
Elsa: Maybe if Mom let you get bit, you might learn. But I’m doubtful. For being such a smart dog, you are a bit of a knothead about some things.
Wilson: I beg your pardon. I am 100% Old English Sheepdog, not a drop of DNA has any knots…
Elsa: {interrupting} Oh brother. Come on, dude…just get with the program and show us what you got.
Wilson: {refocusing} Ahem.. Well I do have another beauty for your pleasure. This is a lovely bed of Dahlias that Mum and I walked past a couple of days ago. They sure are stunning.
Elsa: That’s a lovely shade of coral. Says autumn to me.
Wilson: Yes, autumn is beginning to make appearances. Even some leaves are beginning to change. Take a look at these Viburnum leaves.
Elsa: Ahh, so that’s what that shrub is, eh? Hmm, did not know that. You’re getting pretty good at naming these plants. I mean before you know it, you’re gonna be a Master Gardener.
Wilson: Not likely, I understand the program frowns on sniffing the plants.
Elsa: Good point, but at least you’re learning who’s who in the garden.
Wilson: I try. Here’s another plant that speaks autumn with its coloring. This is Coreopsis, also known as large-flowered tickseed. Did you know it’s also a member of the aster family?
Elsa: I did not. It sure is cheerful looking.
Wilson: Speaking of cheerful, you know how Mum is always on the hunt to spot new garden art. Check out what she found yesterday. She giggled out loud when she saw its face.
Elsa: Hee, haw…opps…sorry I couldn’t refuse. I’ll be seeing the real McCoy this weekend when we go down to see Grandpa and Mom’s other sister who is spending a few days in Colorado visiting. We’ll be walking across the street to say ‘top of the morning’ to the donkeys that live near Grandpa. Won’t that be fun?
Wilson: For you maybe…I’m not much of a fan. They’re awfully large and I’d rather say hello to the bunnies than those monsters.
Elsa: Wuss. I’m all in…just think of it as a fun outing-who knows, maybe Mom will let you drag off a bone of some poor critter who bought the farm.
Wilson: Bones? Umm, well now you’re talking.
Elsa: Hee, hee…note to the ladies…the way to a man’s brain is definitely through his stomach. Just a little tidbit from the Ninja.
Wilson: Excuse me, I’m still here, sister. I’ve got one more photo that shows we’re transitioning nicely toward autumn. Skellies.
Elsa: Oh for crying out loud. Seems kinda early to be bringing out the Halloween decor. Or as Mom would say, “no Halloween decorations just yet…it’s still summer and I haven’t finished my margarita yet!”
Wilson: I know-we’re slowing seeing more and more Halloween decor already. Humans are hilarious, aren’t they. Can’t wait until the next big thing.
Elsa: Yeah, they’re always wishing their lives away. Unlike us dogs who live in the moment. Well, I’ll give you props, big guy, nicely done. And no veggies.
Wilson: Well like they say…Bob’s your uncle. We hope you have a great weekend and check out all the flora that’s out. Even if it’s a veggie or a fruit. Cheerio, mates!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy Monday, peeps. Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Time to get back to it…whatever ‘it’ is for you. Over the past eight months, I’ve been observing Wilson to get a good idea what makes this boy tick and realize he is constantly in training for the lazy dog triathlon. I mean…just look at two of his best events.
We hope you have a splendid Monday and an even better week doing your best.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Hiya, everyone. Welcome to Nature Friday where we’re joining our furry friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what others have shared. While it may be Nature Friday, it’s also Friday the 13th [cue the creepy music for the superstitious]. Elsa here to explain a little of what all this Friday the 13th superstitious falderal about before we share a few slices of nature from our neighborhood?
Well…Friday the 13th has been thought to be an unlucky day ever since Norse times. One explanation suggested the reason of the number 13 being unlucky as the ill-fated dinner party of 12 Norse gods in Valhalla. The trickster god known as Loki (who had not been invited), arrived as the 13th guest. He tricked the blind Höðr, son of Odin, to shoot Balder with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. The myth goes on…with Balder’s death, Earth became dark. As the whole Earth mourned, the number 13 began to be viewed as an unlucky day. It might be easy to see why this caused everyone to go gah-gah crazy about the number and consider it unlucky. It sure was for Balder.
The unlucky nature of Friday the 13th also has roots in Christianity with the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, by officers of King Philip IV of France as the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition, but the origins are murky. There are also connections to Hispanic and Greek culture as well and I could go on but then we’d never get to the nature part of this post so let’s just leave it there. Whether you believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky, I got a post to write, so do you own thing, ‘kay? Just don’t walk under any ladders or let a black cat cross your path today and you should be fine. With apologies to cats…sheesh, doesn’t seem right to discriminate against black cats…but here we are. So, House Pony…waddu got for us today?
Wilson: A bonny day to you, little one. Well I thought today might be a bit different…
Elsa: [interrupting] Different-how so? Do you mean we won’t add to the already 61 days 90ºF and above this summer? Well hallelujah…
Wilson: What I meant was we’re not showcasing flowers today, but instead taking a look at vegetable gardens from around the neighborhood.
Elsa: Wha..wait a minute-that sounds lame.
Wilson: Au contraire, sister. Nature is everywhere when you look around…I just thought we could look at something a little different. Just have an open mind, would you?
Elsa: Hey, it’s your parade. I just call ’em like I see it.
Wilson: Well tell me you don’t see beauty in these garden images? Note to readers, that’s not rain drops but supplemental watering on some of those plants. We have kind of forgotten what rain looks like in our area. Sigh.
Elsa: Well…maybe…okay, I guess I see your point. But there’s nothing there that I’d eat.
Wilson: Now, now…as you like to remind me, not everything in life is about eating. Egad, I can’t believe I’m saying that but think of it as a good thing to expand your horizons, Ninja. Besides, you don’t eat flowers either.
Elsa: Who’d have thought you’d be so philosophical? I mean, who’d have thought you, of all people, would be so reflective. I’m impressed.
Wilson: Excuse me, I’m a sheepdog, not a ‘people’. There’s more to me than just being a pretty face.
Elsa: You can say that again…
Wilson: I resemble that remark!
Elsa: You would. Got anything else?
Wilson: Ahem…as a matter of fact I do. You know how Mum likes garden art. Well when she was off celebrating her birthday earlier this week with our Auntie Cheryl, they were sitting in Cheryl’s backyard and Mum spied this little fella. Isn’t he just as cute as a sheep can be?
Elsa: Umm, only you’d think a sheep was cute. I’d have to inspect and sniff it in person before I went there.
Wilson: Balderdash! I haven’t sniffed it but still think that little fella is adorably cute.
Elsa: To each his own, I guess.
Wilson: That’s what makes art so interesting. Mum also found this picnic area for squirrels yesterday. I was naturally appalled….I mean, setting up a picnic table for tree rats is, is {stammering} just all wrong!
Elsa: Oh I dunno, maybe we should think of it as more for birds than squirrels. Reframing that thought makes it more palatable. I can’t believe anyone would seriously entertain accommodating squirrels. I mean, I just can’t.
Wilson: I know just what you mean. But then Mum found this little drinking fountain of love and I softened my thoughts, if you can believe that.
Elsa: It’s a nice touch to end this week’s post. Although I wasn’t a fan of the idea of showcasing vegetable gardens, you ‘done good,’ Land Hippo. Well done.
Wilson: Why thank you…glad you enjoyed something different for a change. I know how you struggle with anything that’s not part of your deeply ingrained routine, so I appreciate it. Well, sister…you have anything on your agenda this weekend?
Elsa: Beyond the normal, nope. While today is hosting a nice cool front moving through the region, it’s back to adding to the 90ºF list for the next few days before more autumn-like temps start in earnest. I think there’s a Oktoberfest festival near the Farmer’s Market this weekend, so maybe Mom will swing by to check it out. Having been to the real Oktoberfest in Munich, she’s not expecting much but it’ll be something. Whatever you do, we hope you enjoy your weekend omp-pah-pahs as you take in all the beauty Nature offers. Prost!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Seriously…? It’s got to be a mistake. However this happened, we hope you make the best of it. Happy Monday!
Everyone at the Ranch is in a celebratory mood because it’s a special someone’s birthday. Happy Barkday to our pal, da Phenny! We hope it’s ‘pawfect!’
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Welcome to the first Friday of September. With a flip of the page on the calendar, we’re now seeing the golden glow of the promise that autumn is on its way, set to arrive in less than 3 weeks with nature beginning to transition. Hallelujah! As always, we’re joining those two adorable pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what others have shared.
Elsa here and as you can see above, some leaves are beginning to change a bit. Our early morning walks have been crisp and we’re loving it. As you may recall, we went to visit our Grandpa for his 94th birthday last weekend and boy was it fun! So let’s get this party started and share some of the amazing sights we encountered.
Wilson: That’s right little sister, we did see some amazing things. First off I went on an honest to gosh sniff-ari! Boy, I had no idea sniffing could be so much fun. Look what I discovered…the remnants of some critter (probably an antelope). Doggone it though, Mum wouldn’t let me get too close to the bones but just inhaling their scent was amazing. I wanted to carry one of those bones with me but Mum said no way.
Elsa: Thank goodness. The last thing Grandpa would appreciate is some nasty chewed up bone in the house.
Wilson: Well it would have been better than some of the things I discovered along our walk. These burs were everywhere and they kept sticking to my ankles and paws and they even stuck to Mum’s paws too.
Elsa: Even I had a couple in my paws but when I met the ‘neigh-bors’ I didn’t mind one bit. Mom was really surprised how excited I was while you just barked at them and wouldn’t even get close enough to introduce yourself. So rude, dude!
Wilson: Erm…I’m not used to meet fellow ponies. The little lizards were more my type…and I enjoyed chasing them although I didn’t even get close to introducing myself.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} You are such a moron. We had such a good time hanging out on the patio with the family who were more than happy to rub my ears. What a great trip! And Mom never gets tired of the view of Pikes Peak. Some grasses were a beautiful golden color while other areas were lush and green. Mom thought the area was much more verdant than here in Denver since they had experienced a few recent rain showers. Thankfully we finally received a lovely shower early Thursday morning. I was bunny hopping to start out our walks because it felt great. Mom says the weekend forecast will return to summertime with 90’s making a comeback and dry conditions for this next week. Ugh-way to bring us back down to earth, Mom.
Wilson: Once we returned back home after our visit, we started noticing how things are starting to look somewhat autumnal in the Mile High. One thing that’s decidedly not autumnal was a blooming lupine which really shocked Mum. They typically bloom in the spring. What the bloody…
Elsa: The squirrels are going bananas because of all the acorns falling everywhere.
Wilson: Squirrels?? Ooh, maybe I’ll get lucky and catch one because they’ll be too busy collecting nuts. A bloke can only hope.
Elsa: Don’t hold your breath, House Pony. They’re doggone wily and downright devious and sure as heck aren’t interested in meeting up with the likes of us.
Wilson: Bollocks! And here I was hoping…
Elsa: Down ace..don’t get your knickers in a bunch. We will have to use our superior brains if we want to catch any of those guys. That and hope that Mom doesn’t reel us in. But…if you zig and I zag, maybe just maybe…
Wilson: Hmm, you’re giving me something to think about plot over the weekend. While I’m creating a plan we’ll leave you with one last photo from our neighborhood. Mum had never seen this colorful welcoming post but was quite chuffed when she did see it. It seemed so friendly. Have a great weekend and don’t forget to notice little things like this when you’re out and about. Have a great weekend.
Live, love, bark 🐾
Today is Labor Day in the US (and its territories) where the contributions of workers are acknowledged and celebrated for their role toward bringing strength and well-being of the nation. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of every September. Where you aware that if you work 40 hours or less a week, you can thank a union member for that benefit for their activism in the last century. Many workers will have today off and Labor Day is now thought of as the unofficial end to summer where many folks will enjoy a last BBQ get-together with friends and family on this holiday weekend, especially now that school is back in session. Many towns will have parades as well and of course, there will be an overabundance of retail sales events from sea to shining sea.
A brief history of Labor Day shows that as the trade and labor movements began to grow, calls for a day commemorating workers’ contributions were proposed. Back then, Colorado had long been progressive on social issues and was one of the first five states to enact legislation recognizing Labor Day. Oregon was the first state to officially make it a public holiday back in 1887. Labor Day became a national holiday in the U.S. in 1894. I believe our Canadian friends also celebrate “Labour Day” on the first Monday in September as well.
Life in the labor movement wasn’t all roses and candy. Following the deaths of workers during the Pullman Strike of 1894, Congress unanimously approved legislation making Labor Day a national holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed the law into effect shortly after the end of the strike to recognize all workers and their efforts and contribution to the nation.
The Ranch Hands will continue celebrating the birthday weekend as more family members will join us in southern Colorado (including baby Halia-yay!!). We sincerely wish you a safe Labor Day holiday, and hope you safely celebrate with pride for all your work accomplishments to the country.
Now for today’s Monday smile. When you work like a dog all year long, today seems the ‘pawfect’ day to relax and enjoy friends and family.
Live, love, bark! 🐾